Detroit Mayor Gets More Control of His City

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan now has authority over another city department previously run by emergency manager Kevyn Orr -- the department of homeland security.

Former Homeland Security Director Gerald Simon "was asked to step down" and will be replaced, police spokesman Sgt. Michael Woody said, adding the city's response to this week's flooding had nothing to do with the changes announced today.

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Homeland security was moved to the police department as part of the city's restructuring in July 2013, the month Detroit filed for bankruptcy. The police department is under Orr's purview.

"This change is an important step towards making certain that the city of Detroit provides the best level of protection and emergency response necessary for our residents, workers and visitors," the police department said in a statement.

A spokesman for Duggan declined to comment.

Duggan and Orr divided control of the city's departments when Duggan took office in January. Last month, Orr gave Duggan control of the water department's operations.